Chapter 79: Du Chengfeng Enters the Palace Once Again

Perhaps, as my father once said, such a talent must be appeased and drawn in at all costs, so that he might become an asset to Great Tang. Li Shimin believed that since he could once win over the heroes of Wagang Village, he could certainly attract a genius like Du Chengfeng.

Putting aside the myriad thoughts swirling in his mind, Li Shimin sighed, thinking: Perhaps I should meet Du Chengfeng once more, test him further, and if his heart is with Great Tang, reward and reassure him.

With this in mind, Li Shimin called out in a deep voice to the attendants outside the hall, “Someone, bring my decree.”

Hearing the summons, the imperial eunuch Gao Gonggong hurriedly pushed open the door and entered quietly, waiting for Li Shimin’s orders.

“Gao Tu, go to Du Chengfeng’s residence and deliver my command. Summon him to the palace; tell him I have matters to discuss,” Li Shimin said calmly, his hands behind his back.

“Your servant obeys,” Gao Tu replied, and swiftly left to deliver the decree to Du Chengfeng.

Before long, Du Chengfeng entered the Ganlu Hall, led by Gao Gonggong.

Du Chengfeng had also been considering how to find the opportunity to speak to Li Shimin about popularizing the common tongue and phonetic script, to advocate his cause and resolve the issue of iron ore. He knew there were iron mines in the counties surrounding Chang’an, but the land belonged to the court, and he could not seize it by force. Distant mines were impractical for now.

As he was troubled by these matters, Gao Gonggong arrived with the emperor’s summons. Du Chengfeng thought this would be the perfect opportunity to negotiate with Li Shimin and perhaps settle the iron ore issue.

“Du Chengfeng, I have received a report concerning you, so I specially had Gao Gonggong summon you here for discussion,” Li Shimin spoke as soon as Du Chengfeng arrived, his back turned.

“A report about me? What kind of report?” Du Chengfeng was bewildered. Had someone reported him?

Li Shimin slowly turned around, intending to show Du Chengfeng the county magistrate’s memorial, but then thought it unnecessary. Instead, he smiled and said, “Du Chengfeng, I’ve heard that as soon as you received your fief, you announced an exemption from all taxes for the people, and even pledged your own funds to build free schools for them. Is this true? I am quite curious—are you simply so wealthy you have nowhere to spend your money, or do you have some ulterior motive?”

Ulterior motive? Such a simple matter, yet Li Shimin made it sound like something more. Du Chengfeng was stunned; it had only been a day, and the news he announced in his fief had already reached Li Shimin through someone's report.

Could it be that the county magistrate submitted the memorial? Du Chengfeng guessed. But it was no big deal—after all, the magistrate was only fulfilling his duty. Given the unconventional nature of his actions, it was understandable that the magistrate would report them, so Du Chengfeng didn’t mind.

“Your Majesty, I am not short of money, so I don’t care about the income from the fief. Besides, Great Tang is in need of restoration, and the people are struggling. Grain is scarce. Easing their burden and increasing their income—what harm is there in that?” Du Chengfeng replied without concern for Li Shimin’s probing.

“And I care greatly about my reputation,” Du Chengfeng added, feigning a careless mumble.

He would never tell Li Shimin that his actions were entirely for the sake of reputation points. Though even without that, Du Chengfeng would have done the same.

Du Chengfeng’s answer dispelled much of Li Shimin’s suspicion.

Seeking fame was indeed a plausible explanation. Du Chengfeng, after all, was a newly appointed founder of the county, and ambition for renown was natural for a young man. Li Shimin was not surprised in the least. Though the cost of gaining such fame was considerable—the permanent tax revenue from five hundred households was no small sum.

Li Shimin couldn’t help but admire Du Chengfeng’s extraordinary resolve.

“So, for the sake of your reputation, you are funding the construction of free schools for the villagers?” Li Shimin pressed.

“Not entirely,” Du Chengfeng answered without hesitation.

“Then you have other motives?” Li Shimin’s expression shifted. Yet as soon as he spoke, he regretted it, feeling he might have been too blunt.

But Du Chengfeng ignored the question, turning serious: “Your Majesty, besides reputation, my greater purpose in building free schools is to open the minds of the people and promote my new form of education. Let these free schools become sparks to light the land of Great Tang. Ultimately, it is all for you, Your Majesty!”

“For me?” Li Shimin was puzzled, noting the key phrases: opening the minds of the people, new education. As a wise emperor, Li Shimin possessed vision and foresight.

Opening the minds of the people was indeed a noble endeavor that would benefit generations.

Li Shimin had long wished to pursue such a cause, but the pressure from aristocratic clans and other unstable factors had prevented him from doing so. Or, perhaps, as a ruler, he lacked the audacity of Du Chengfeng. As emperor, Li Shimin was beset by too many constraints and burdens.

Still, this did not affect his judgment of Du Chengfeng’s actions. Thus, when Du Chengfeng proposed opening the minds of the people, Li Shimin was not greatly surprised. He merely felt that Du Chengfeng was doing what he wished to do but could not.

Yet the concept of new education was perplexing to Li Shimin.

Du Chengfeng continued, “Your Majesty, to be honest, I am preparing to build two free schools in Chang’an as well. In time, perhaps there will be many more free schools across Great Tang.”

Du Chengfeng’s plan for free schools closely resembled the modern compulsory education system. But whereas compulsory education was instituted by the state, Du Chengfeng’s schools would be founded in his own name, perhaps attracting merchant participation.

After all, in this era, merchants held low status. If there were a way to elevate their standing and reputation among the people, they would gladly contribute.

When the time came, Du Chengfeng would organize charitable fundraising under the guise of educational promotion, erecting a monument of merit. All merchants who donated would have their names engraved for future generations to honor, and wealthy merchants would eagerly compete to donate to the schools.

His task would be to appoint trustworthy managers for the donations, ensuring transparency.

From the moment Du Chengfeng conceived the idea of founding free schools, he had already planned his fallback and sources of funding.

Maintaining a school over time was no small expense.

“Building two free schools in Chang’an as well?” Li Shimin was astonished by Du Chengfeng’s bold plan. “Are you not afraid of resistance from the aristocratic clans?” Li Shimin asked, his concern evident.

His worries were well-founded. Chang’an was the center of Great Tang’s power, and also the seat of the influential clans.